Category Archives: Cold War

First American combat troops land in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Mar 8 1965)


Video: '1965, Marines Land in Vietnam - 250041-12 | Footage Farm Ltd'

(Monday, March 8, 1965, 9:03 a.m. ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The first U.S. combat troops arrived in Vietnam today as 3,500 Marines landed at China Beach to defend the American air base at Da Nang. They joined 23,000 American military advisors already in Vietnam. Continue reading First American combat troops land in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Mar 8 1965)

Operation Rolling Thunder against North Vietnam begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 2 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-4) LBJ Goes to War (1964-1965)' (Mar. 2, 1965, at 28:18)

(Tuesday, March 2, 1965, 3:45 p.m. ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War)Operation Rolling Thunder, a gradual and sustained aerial bombardment campaign, began today as more than 100 U.S. jet aircraft bombed a North Vietnamese munitions depot and also provided air cover for 60 South Vietnamese bombers striking at a Communist naval base. Continue reading Operation Rolling Thunder against North Vietnam begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 2 1965)

Six U.S. Representatives arrive in Saigon to assess deteriorating situation 50 years ago today (Feb 27 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-12) The End of the Tunnel' (Feb. 27-Mar. 2, 1975, at 23:51)

(Thursday, February 27, 1975; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — A group of six members of the House of Representatives arrived at Tan Son Nhut air base near the city of Saigon today to make a four day visit to South Vietnam and Cambodia. They joined two representatives who had arrived Feb. 24, 1975, to assess the deteriorating war situation.

Operation Rolling Thunder postponed due to coup attempt in Saigon 60 years ago today (Feb 19 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Part 4 LBJ Goes to War 1964 65' (Feb. 19, 1965, at 28:40)

(Friday, February 19, 1965; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The planned Feb. 20, 1965, launch of Operation Rolling Thunder, an extended bombing campaign to force North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietcong guerrillas in the South, was postponed today due to a coup attempt in Saigon.

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorizes massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Feb 13 1965)


Video: Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-4) LBJ Goes to War (1964-1965)' (Feb. 13, 1965, at 28:18)

(Saturday, February 13, 1965, LBJ met with top national security advisors from 1:56 to 4:00 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson today authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, an extended bombing campaign to force North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietcong guerrillas in the South. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorizes massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Feb 13 1965)

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson retaliates for Viet Cong attack on Pleiku airbase 60 years ago this hour (Feb 7 1965)


Video: 'PBS LBJ Part 2' (Feb. 7, 1965, at 5:45)

(Sunday, February 7, 1965, 2:00 p.m. local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson ordered Operation Flaming Dart today in retaliation for the Feb. 6-7, 1965, Viet Cong attack on Pleiku airbase. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson retaliates for Viet Cong attack on Pleiku airbase 60 years ago this hour (Feb 7 1965)

Johnson adviser McGeorge Bundy arrives in Saigon 50 years ago this morning (Feb 4 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Part 4 LBJ Goes to War 1964 65' (Feb. 4, 1965, at 26:33)

(Thursday, February 4, 1965, morning local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — National Security Adviser McGeorge Bundy, who had recently urged President Lyndon Johnson to bomb North Vietnam, arrived in Saigon this morning for a “fact” search.

Saigon renews appeal for U.S. aid 50 years ago today (Jan 31 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Jan. 31, 1975, at 23:17)

(Friday, January 31, 1975; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — 25 days after the fall of Phuoc Binh to North Vietnamese forces, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu today renewed his appeal for U.S. aid, warning that his government might collapse without it.

Radical group Weather Underground sets off bomb in U.S. State Department building 50 years ago this hour (Jan 29 1975)


Video: 'Weather Underground Bombs the Capitol, Pentagon, and State Department' (Jan. 29, 1975, at 6:08)

(Wednesday, January 29, 1975, 12:56 a.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — A bomb exploded in the State Department building in Washington early this morning shortly after callers identifying themselves as “Weather Underground” members warned news organizations they were setting off bombs in protest United States aid to South Vietnam. Continue reading Radical group Weather Underground sets off bomb in U.S. State Department building 50 years ago this hour (Jan 29 1975)

Saigon’s forces lose Phuoc Long 50 years ago this hour (Jan 7 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-12) The End of the Tunnel' (Battle of Phuoc Long at 22:31)

(Tuesday, January 7, 1975, 9:30 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Battle of Phuoc Long, part of Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — After a week-long siege, North Vietnamese forces today overran and captured Phuoc Binh, the encircled capital of Phuoc Long Province. Continue reading Saigon’s forces lose Phuoc Long 50 years ago this hour (Jan 7 1975)